They learn. They contribute. They drive Soitec forward.
Nearly 100 work-study students and interns are currently thriving across all departments at Soitec: R&D, human resources, communications, finance, sustainability, and more. Across the board, they hold real responsibilities and contribute fully to Soitec's projects. And to tell their stories, no one is better placed than one of their own: Sofia, our communications intern from Italy, who authors these portraits.
Different backgrounds, same energy. Today, discover the journey of Shu An Teo, a sustainability intern within the Facilities department in Singapore.
Shu An: a dual degree combining engineering and economics
An intern at Soitec for six months, Shu An works on highly tangible projects at the intersection of engineering, economics, and energy transition. It is an experience that allows him to put theoretical knowledge into practice, gain autonomy, and discover how sustainability is applied within the semiconductor industry.
Originally from Singapore, Shu An is currently in his third year of a double degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering and Economics at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Seeking to specialize in sustainability, he chose to complete a six-month internship with Soitec's Facilities team.
His dual background equips him with tools in statistics and cost control, along with a solid understanding of regulations and decision-making frameworks.
“In class, we don't dive deep into concrete applications like preparing for ISO standards. This internship really opened my eyes to how sustainability operates on a day-to-day basis, especially in the semiconductor sector.”
Concrete and diverse projects
Shu An contributes to various projects aimed at improving the site's energy efficiency, such as installing solar panels and optimizing cooling systems (chillers).
His main project involves integrating an artificial intelligence component to optimize the energy usage of these chillers. On a daily basis, he handles data collection, report drafting, and file tracking, particularly for financial grant applications and legal compliance:
“It's a project with a lot of moving parts. Our role is to act as the liaison, address financial or legal questions, and make sure everyone stays on the same page.”
Acquiring technical and interpersonal skills
On the technical side, Shu An leverages his Excel skills from his engineering background to automate certain tasks and simplify data retrieval for reporting. Beyond the desk work, however, it is the daily interactions that leave the biggest impression: communicating with external suppliers, collaborating with contractors, and developing essential interpersonal skills.
He integrated seamlessly into the Facilities department, a dynamic, tight-knit team:
“I live by a 'work hard, play hard' philosophy. When there's work to be done, everyone pulls together, but when we unwind, we laugh and truly treat each other like close friends.”
He also emphasizes the supportive guidance of his mentors, Michelle and Aldwin:
“They gave me plenty of room and freedom to try things on my own. They let me deal directly with suppliers while keeping a supportive watch over me. It has been a fantastic learning opportunity.”
A highlight of his internship? A team-bonding event outside of work that left him with great memories.
An eye-opening experience for the future
This internship allowed Shu An to see what goes on behind the scenes: compliance with international standards (such as ISO 50001 or 45001 certifications), annual audits, and a continuous push for improvement. When asked to summarize his experience at Soitec in just one word, he chooses without hesitation: “Eye-opening.”
At the conclusion of his internship, Shu An will head off for a university exchange semester in Norway before returning to complete the final two years of his program in Singapore. Although he intends to complete other internships to explore different fields, Soitec remains a top option for him in the semiconductor industry.
His advice for students hesitating to apply?
“Look at where you can add value and what you can bring to the table. Soitec is a company that genuinely gives you the chance to learn if you have the desire, so grab every opportunity!”
